Grocery Shopping after Bariatric Surgery

Many of us believe that when we eat out less often, we are eating more healthily. While that may be the case for some of us, it is certainly not true across the board. Sometimes, we make the wrong choices at the grocery store that can add hundreds, if not thousands, of calories to our diet every month. These choices, including high-sodium, high- fat and high-sugar processed foods, are abundant in grocery stores. It’s easy to buy these items because they are often cheap or on sale and require much less preparation than raw foods. Here are some tips to help make better choices next time you’re in the grocery store:

• Make a shopping list beforehand and stick to it. It is tempting to buy more than we need once we’re at the grocery store. If we commit to only buying what is on our list, the chances of splurging are much reduced. Plus, you’ll save a lot of money buying only what you need.

• Shop the walls. Generally, the healthiest foods – and those that are least processed – are along the outer walls of the grocery store. Foods in the center aisles tend to be less nutritious and more processed. Stick to the fresh veggies, meats and dairy. If you must venture into the center aisles, check your nutrition labels for sodium, fat, sugar and caloric content.

• Check the ingredients. Natural and organic foods are ideal, but not always available. Before you drop it in your cart, check the ingredients of what you’re buying. Know what you’re going to be eating.

• Park further from the store and walk a few extra minutes. While this isn’t necessarily a shopping trick, it can help with losing a few extra pounds over the course of the year.

Grocery shopping will be tricky at first, but will become second nature as you learn where the right foods are located and what parts of the store to avoid. Try to shop with a support group friend – you can help each other stay on track and fight temptation. Ultimately, grocery store shopping should be a fun experience and not a chore. You’ll soon get the knack for it, and your waistline will thank you.